The causes of the climate change issue can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution. While there is an argument that global climate change does not actually exist and that global warming and cooling occur periodically within the Earth’s natural balance, prevailing scientific viewpoints assert that climate change is an immutable reality and will worsen in the coming years if no preventive measures are taken. Our study is based on the assumptions that global climate change exists and is human-induced.

Climate change is a natural phenomenon that has always existed on Earth, occurring for millions of years. The long-term geological variations in the Earth’s climate represent natural climate change. However, in the last quarter of the 20th century, particularly with the increasing industrialization, the climate change that has occurred is artificial and anthropogenic in nature (Çepel, 2003: 125-145).

According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) definition, climate change refers to a modification in the climate that can be observed over comparable time intervals1 and is a consequence of human activities that directly or indirectly alter the composition of the global atmosphere, in addition to natural climate variations (IPCC, 2001: 13).

Based on conducted studies, it has been observed that the global average temperature of the Earth has increased by 0,6ºC in the past century. It is projected that from the year 1990 to 2100, the global average temperature of the Earth will increase by an estimated range of 1.4 to 5.8ºC. However, one should not be misled by these seemingly small temperature increases. A 1ºC increase in surface temperature can result in significant changes on Earth. When we consider the ongoing impacts of climate change within the context of sustainable development, it becomes evident that it could lead to severe catastrophes in the future (Karakaya & Özçağ, 2003: 2).

The primary cause of climate change is the substantial increase in emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as a result of human activities, particularly due to industrialization. There are six major greenhouse gases responsible for global climate change. These include Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆). Among these gases, CO₂ is the most significant, accounting for approximately 80% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. CO₂ emissions result from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are used in various sectors of the economy.

The CO₂ emissions solely attributable to fossil fuel consumption worldwide exceeded twice their 1973 levels by the end of 2019, rising from 15,461 million tons (Mt) to 33,622 Mt. Of this emission quantity, 44% originates from coal consumption, 33.7% from petroleum consumption, 21.6% from natural gas consumption, and 0.7% from industrial and non-renewable waste sources. When examined by regions, as of the end of 2019, 33.6% of CO₂ emissions are attributed to OECD countries, 29.5% to China, 13.6% to non-OECD Asia except China, 7.6% to non-OECD Europe and Eurasia, 5.2% to the Middle East, 3.8% to Africa, and 2.8% to non-OECD Americas countries (IEA, 2021: 54-55).

The natural disasters arising as a consequence of global climate change, such as droughts, glacier melting, rising sea levels, flood disasters, hurricanes, and the imminent threat of extinction for certain species, pose substantial risks on a global scale, particularly in terms of the economic and social contexts, including agriculture, industry, and tourism sectors.

The agriculture sector and food security are the domains that will be most severely affected by the issue of climate change globally. Food security is defined as taking measures by adhering to the necessary health regulations in the production, processing, storage, transportation, and distribution stages of food production to ensure the production of healthy food. Additionally, it refers to food that is safe, hygienic, beneficial to human health, and maintains its health status (Ceyhun Sezgin, 2020: 175).

Nevertheless, there are various socio-economic and technological developments, urbanization, land use in agriculture, and global trade, among other factors, which affect food security on a global scale. Climate change and its associated impacts contribute to changes in nature, consequently increasing or altering the factors that affect food security. Factors affecting food security can emerge at any point along the food supply chain, and climate change can either trigger or directly cause such issues. Examples of factors influencing food security include fluctuations in temperature, extreme weather events, ocean and sea warming and acidification, as well as the development of resistance by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi due to changes in temperature and rainfall patterns (Tirado, Clarke, Jaykus, McQuatters, & Frank, 2010).

In the first chapter of this book, climate change, the factors contributing to this change and the effects of climate change on the world and our country have been examined.

The second chapter discusses definitions related to food security, the global situation regarding food security and the factors influencing food security.

The third chapter explores the impacts of climate change on food security.

We hope that our study serves as a warning to the government, local authorities and food producers and also provides a valuable guide for students and colleagues in their academic endeavors.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Hiperlink Publishing team and the Editor-in-Chief, Ms. Hatice BAHTİYAR, for their valuable support during the preparation and printing process of our book.